Community Awards

Each year, the Westminster Legacy Foundation honors Westminster citizens, individuals, groups, business, and organizations active in the Westminster community. The nominees and winners are recognized at a breakfast in their honor on Thursday, April 25 at the Westin Westminster.

Donors, friends, grantees and community members are invited to nominate candidates in any one or more of the seven award categories: The Nancy Heil Lifetime Achievement Award; The Nature, Environment & Sustainability Award; The Health & Human Services Hero Award; The Arts and Culture Award; The Corporate Citizen Award; The Citizen of the Year; and The Young Citizen of the Year.

Advance tickets are no longer available for purchase; a limited number of tickets will be available at the event.

The City of Westminster’s most prestigious award, The Nancy Heil Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual residing in Westminster that has made lifelong contributions of lasting significance to the City of Westminster. Originating in 2018, the award is named for former Westminster Mayor, Nancy Heil. In the late 1990’s, then-Westminster Mayor Nancy Heil had a vision for an organization that could provide charitable support to the entire City of Westminster. Mayor Heil and a dedicated group of volunteers formed the Westminster Legacy Foundation in 2001 to support programs and projects that strengthen and enhance the Westminster community and our residents.

The Nature, Environment & Sustainability Award

This award is given to highlight determined individuals or organizations that have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to conservation, energy, sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, protection of natural resources, environmental health, and land management, with the goal of improving and protecting the natural environment in Westminster. Recipients are essential to achieving a sustainable future in Westminster.

The Health & Human Services Hero Award

The Health and Human Services Hero Award was created to honor those who have touched the lives of others through their advocacy, dedication, service, volunteerism and support throughout Westminster. These are individuals who have demonstrated outstanding involvement and commitment to community services that support and protect individuals and families. Examples include efforts in education, social work, mental health care, dependent care, job training, shelter services, health programs, mentoring, financial assistance, after school programs, nutrition and substance abuse services, legal and criminal justice services, nonprofit fundraising, and recreation services.

The Arts & Culture Award

This award is presented to an individual or an organization that has made a significant and lasting impact on arts and culture in the City of Westminster. Recipients may be artists, performers, or writers, as well as those who work to promote, educate and share arts and culture in Westminster. These award recipients represent the best of Westminster’s cultural and artistic scene. Through their work, the arts have become more accessible, visible, and integrated into daily life in Westminster.

The Corporate Citizen Award

The Corporate Citizenship Award is presented annually to an organization or company that demonstrates a strong commitment to corporate responsibility practices and whose leaders are actively engaged in supporting and expanding those efforts. The award highlights companies that integrate societal and community concerns into their core operating strategies. They are a committed and vibrant partner in creating a better City for their customers, employees and the Westminster community.

The Citizen of the Year

The Citizen of the Year Award is given to an individual residing in Westminster with significant achievements throughout the calendar year immediately prior to receiving the award, as well as their past achievements and ongoing contribution to the Westminster community. This individual has made a significant contribution to the community, serves as an inspirational role model for others, and the scope of their impact on the community reaches far and wide.

The Young Citizen of the Year

The Young Citizen of the Year Award is given to an individual under 21 years of age who is focused on improving the Westminster community through service to others. Their spirit of volunteerism is infectious and may have had an impact through projects that are developed in or outside of the classroom, in conjunction with an organization or religious institution, or can even be an initiative or organization they started on their own or with their friends. Projects can provide a direct service, be philanthropic, or raise awareness or advocacy around a particular community need.